alinment

since u replaced some stuff on the front end u will need to have it alined properly anyways.. of course u can make adjustments to get it close but the shop will be the end result anyways.

 

The problem is that caster, camber, and toe in are all related. Simply changing one can affect the others. This is why you need a shop or at least the correct measuring equipment.

 

So the answer is yes? I just need to add some shims equally to draw the top of the tire back towards the upper control arm.

How did you get "yes" out of that???

 

So the answer is yes? I just need to add some shims equally to draw the top of the tire back towards the upper control arm.

 

Unless you have a way of setting caster while also setting camber & toe in , the answer is no , you can't realign the car w/o the proper tools .
dave

 

Just curious here, what was the reason you replaced the stock upper control arms with a set of tubular arms?

 

The reason was to update my suspension (78 Z28). Replaced the upper control arm with a tube style upper to gain a bit more of adjustment an I thought I might be lighter, it was but only by a pound. Didn't replace the lower control arm but I did box them in on the bottom. Replaced front springs with a 150 spring rate. All new ball joints & bushings. Replaced leaf springs with a matching 150 spring rate, an did the Herb Addams mod to the spring pockets. Replaced all the bushing on the front an rear sway bars. I have driven it an it tracks straight but all I want to do is change the camber angle, that's all. I'm not 100% sure changing the camber angle will mess with the alignment.
What kind of upsets me is I can't get an answer to my question!
No you can't align it your self you need to take it somewhere. I'm not aligning it just want to change camber angle.

 

What kind of upsets me is I can't get an answer to my question!
No you can't align it your self you need to take it somewhere. I'm not aligning it just want to change camber angle.

No, you did get an answer, you just don't want to hear it. Again, you MUST check and adjust camber, caster, and toe at the same time, since changing one will affect the other two. If you simply change the camber angle by inserting shims, you WILL change the toe-in and possibly the caster at the same time. This is why the correct measuring tools are needed. You can certainly do the work yourself if you have the proper measuring equipment and knowledge. To be frank, your questions and responses make me question the knowledge part.

 

The answer is yes you can do a basic alignment at home but not without a few special tools.

Camber is part of the alignment. When you changed the arms you also changed the toe and more importantly the caster. You can align the car if you have a caster/camber gauge (Joes Racing)and the service manual. A basic digital angle finder isn't going to get you what you need.

Joes Racing Products 99.95 - RacingPlus.com

You will also need some alignment plates that the tires will sit on so you can see what angle you are at when turning the tires. These can be made at home.

http://www.racingplus.com/alignment-tools/longacre/aluminum-turning-plates-set-of-2/1362p10562

You should do a little reading on the subject. A service manual is mandatory and reading through it will give a good indication what needs to be done and the tools needed. I found this article on the subject too and how caster, camber and toe all affect each other. The manual for you car should go into detail about this also.

Understanding and Adjusting Front-end Geometry

 

Found an article about making your own alignment plates.

Make your own turn plates for a front end alignment

I forgot you will also need a way to set the toe. The string method works fairly well and will get you in the ballpark. You should check what the specs are for your car but 1/8" toe in is pretty standard. Due to possible different track width between the front and back of the car you need to make sure the string is parallel front to back. Your car should have an equal track width but it doesn't hurt to double check it.

Wheel Alignment Guide - Measuring Toe - Hot Rod Magazine Page 4

 

Ever since I had that lobotomy I have a hard time with the word NO. Like " No don't choke him" Anyhow thanks for the info. The deal is I'm not going to take out the shims that are on it now, just going to add some equally on both bolts. If screws things up I can simply take them off.

 

Do you plan to use anything other than your eyeball to determine the correct amount of shims to add?

 

The problem by adding the same amount of shims is they are completely different arms. Most likely with a different geometry. Even if the geometry was the same they will be different from slight manufacturing variances.

Even if you unbolted the same arms and tried putting them back on the alignment would NOT be the same as before you took them off. It would probably be very close but highly unlikely it would not have changed.

Like Joe said, you change one you change them all. There are no ifs and's or buts about it.

Most of the tubular control arms have extra caster built in to them for better strait line stability. They will usually have a sheet that the alignment shop can go by for setting the car to the new specs. By the time all the equipment is purchased most people would be better off to just take the car to an alignment shop. It will be much less of a headache and you will know for sure the car is set up correctly. If not you are just throwing your money away by wearing the tires out prematurely.

I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't. It just makes more sense to take it somewhere in my opinion. Which if you do take it somewhere it is a good idea to get the car as close as possible. At least the toe should be close as that can have the most drastic effects on handling and especially if you have to drive the car any distance to the alignment shop. Thankfully the toe is the easiest to adjust and requires the least amount of tools.